MediaCo Acquires Estrella Media’s Content And Digital Operations

MediaCo Holding Inc. today announced that it has acquired all of Estrella Media’s network, content, digital and commercial operations. Among the Estrella Media brands joining MediaCo are the EstrellaTV network and its linear and digital video content business, and Estrella Media’s digital channels, including its four FAST channels — EstrellaTV, Estrella News, Cine EstrellaTV and Estrella Games — and the EstrellaTV app. The transaction closed on April 17.

MediaCo, which operates marquee urban WQHT-FM (“Hot 97”) and WBLS-FM in New York, will be adding Estrella Media’s Spanish-language video, audio and digital content operations under the same umbrella. This transaction will also allow MediaCo to reach the established audiences of Estrella Media’s market-leading regional Mexican radio stations, including Que Buena Los Angeles, home of the Don Cheto Al Aire nationally syndicated morning radio show, La Raza in Houston and Dallas, and El Norte in Houston.

The combined footprint of MediaCo “positions it as one of the strongest radio content providers for Spanish and Urban music in both terrestrial radio and audio streaming. These audiences represent almost one third of the U.S. population and 100% of the consumer growth in the marketplace,” the company said.

Jacqueline Hernández, a veteran media executive, will lead the company as the interim CEO. Hernandez, who most recently was CEO and founder of New Majority Ready, a multicultural marketing and content strategy firm, has previously held the positions of chief operating officer at Telemundo, as well as chief marketing officer at NBCUniversal Hispanic Enterprises, and recently served as a board member of Estrella Media.

Hernández said: “This combination of tested media brands and talented teams will fuel growth of content and distribution for the benefit of our multicultural audiences. We believe this combination is the first step in building a unique multicultural media company that will reach diverse U.S. audiences wherever they choose to consume content and create value for marketers working to reach these important audiences.”

Deb McDermott, MediaCo chair, said: “This leverages the strengths of two great companies to build something new. We are committed to representing and serving the Hispanic marketplace, as well as continuing to represent and grow the diverse audience that MediaCo already serves. We see a need for media brands to embrace opportunities with all audiences, and Estrella Media is a key part of our growth strategy.”

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey for MediaCo,” said Kudjo Sogadzi, MediaCo president-COO. “As we embark on this next chapter, we see a great opportunity to combine our strengths and capabilities to redefine how we deliver media to our diverse audiences.”

And Peter Markham, Estrella Media CEO, added: “This is a natural next step in the evolution of Estrella Media’s content operations to better serve our important U.S. Hispanic audience. This transaction helps secure a bright and growing future for MediaCo to become the preeminent media company serving the multicultural audiences who drive ad spend ROI and brand growth.”

As part of the transaction, Estrella Media will continue to own and operate its local radio and television stations, while MediaCo provides the programming and content to which their audiences have grown accustomed. MediaCo will also work to increase distribution with other broadcast partners, as well as to grow digital streaming, CTV and AVOD assets.

Transaction Terms

The transaction was effected pursuant to an asset purchase agreement with Estrella Broadcasting, the owner of Estrella Media, under which a subsidiary of MediaCo purchased substantially all of the assets of Estrella Broadcasting other than its local radio and television stations. As part of the transaction, MediaCo received an option to acquire those stations from Estrella Broadcasting at a future date, subject to receipt of necessary regulatory approval.

As consideration in the transaction, Estrella Broadcasting is receiving a warrant to purchase up to a total of 28,206,152 newly issued shares of MediaCo Class A Common Stock, exercisable at an exercise price of $0.00001 per share; $60 million of newly issued shares of MediaCo Series B Preferred Stock that will accrue dividends at a rate of 6.0% per annum; a $30 million second lien term note with a five-year term and an interest rate of SOFR + 6.0% per annum; and approximately $30 million in cash.

In connection with the exercise of the local radio and television stations option, Estrella Broadcasting would receive an additional 7,051,538 newly issued shares of MediaCo Class A Common Stock.

WhiteHawk Capital Partners provided a $45 million first lien term loan facility to MediaCo in connection with the transaction, $35 million of which has been drawn at closing. In connection with the transaction, three designees of Estrella Broadcasting were added to the board of directors of MediaCo. The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of MediaCo and Estrella Broadcasting.

Prior to the consummation of the transaction, Standard General converted all of the outstanding shares of MediaCo Series A Preferred Stock into a total of 20,733,869 shares of newly issued shares of MediaCo Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock.